Storage frame for decorative lighting strings

ABSTRACT

A storage frame for lighting strings includes two sides, two rods and a handle. The rods connect between the two sides to form a flat, compact spool on which a lighting string wind can be easily wound. The handle separately connects to either of the two sides so the user can conveniently hold the frame. Therefore the two sides, two rods and the handle can easily connect together to form a storage frame and can be disassembled for storage to the frame does not occupy much space.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a storage frame for decorative lighting strings, more specifically to a storage frame on which decorative lighting strings wind. The storage frame occupies very little space when stored.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] A decorative lighting string having wires, multiple sockets electrically connected to the wires and multiple light bulbs is often used to decorate a tree, roof or house at night. The decorative lighting string has long wires, so that it is hard to decorate the tree quickly.

[0005] To solve this problem, a tool such as a storage spool was adapted. The decorative lighting string can be wound on the spool to hold the long wires. The spool provides the means for a user to unroll a specific length of the decorative lighting string from the spool and attach a small amount at a time so the decorative lighting string not yet attached does not become tangled. Thus the user not only conveniently sets the lighting string up, but the spool also keeps the lighting string from being damaged. However, when the lighting string is set up and removed from the spool, the spool has no function and occupies space for storage.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention provides a storage frame for decorative lighting strings to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An objective of the present invention is to provide a storage frame that can be easily stored and conveniently assembled.

[0008] Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a storage frame in accordance with the present invention;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a storage frame in accordance with the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a front plan view in partial section of the storage frame in FIG. 2; and

[0012]FIG. 4 is a front plan view of a storage frame with a lighting string on it.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0013] With reference to FIG. 1, a storage frame adapted to wind decorative lighting strings on the frame includes two sides (10), two rods (20) and a handle (30). Each rod (20) is connected between the two sides (10) by a connecting means. The handle (30) is connected to either of the two sides (10) by another connecting means.

[0014] Each side (10) has two ends (not numbered), an outer face (11) and an inner face (12). A longitudinal bar (13) is formed on the outer face (11) of each side (10). Two FIG. 8 shaped keyholes (14) are defined in opposite positions on each side (10). Each keyhole (14) has a large through hole (141) and a small through hole (142). A pair of positioning blocks (15) are formed on inner face (12) of the side (10) with the positioning blocks (15) on opposite sides of the small through hole (142). Two beveled holes (16) are defined through the longitudinal bar (13) of each side (10). Each beveled hole (16) has a large outer opening (161) on the outer face (11) of the side (10) and a small inner opening (162) on the inner face (12). A wire clip (17) is defined on one edge of the each side (10). The wire clip (17) may be in the form of an external clip, a notch, a slot or an open hole near the edge of the side (10).

[0015] The each rod (20) has two ends (not numbered) with a key (21) formed on each end. Each key (21) is comprised of a head (211), a neck (212) and a collar (213) and each has a different diameter. The neck (212) is formed between the head (211) and the collar (213). The diameter of the head (211) is smaller than the large through hole (141) and larger than the small through hole (142), so that the head (211) can be inserted through the large through hole (141) from the inner face (12) of the side (10). The diameter of the neck (212) is slightly smaller than the small through hole (142) so the neck (212) can easily rest in the small through hole (142). The neck (211) has a length slightly longer than the thickness of the side (10) with the bar (13). The collar (213) is bigger than the large through hole (141) to keep the rod (20) from completely passing through the side (10). Flat faces (214) are formed on opposite edges of the collar (213) to correspond to the two position blocks (15) on the inner face (12). The rod (20) is inserted into the keyhole (14) through the large through hole (141). The two flat faces (214) on the collar (213) are aligned to face the corresponding position blocks (15) before the neck (212) is pushed into the small through hole (142). With further reference to FIG. 2, the flat faces (214) on the collar (213) are securely held between the positioning blocks (15) and keep the rod (20) from rotating.

[0016] With reference to FIG. 3, the handle (30) is substantially U-shaped and has two ends (not numbered) corresponding to the beveled holes (16) in one of the sides (10). A connector (32) is formed on each end. Each connector (32) includes a flange (321) and a pair of resilient hooks (322) formed on the flange (321). When the handle (30) is connected to one side (10), the connectors (32) respectively engage the beveled holes (16) from the outer face (11) of the side (10). The pair of resilient hooks (322) are pressed together when they pass through the large outer opening (161) and the beveled hole (16). When the pair of hooks (322) pass through the small inner opening (162), the pair of hooks (322) spring apart engage the inner face (12) of the side (10), and the flange (321) presses against the outer face (11) of the side (10). With reference to FIG. 4, a lighting string (40) is wound around the two rods (20) of the storage frame. The lighting string (40) is wound on the storage frame so a user can conveniently decorate a tree or house with the lighting string (40). If the user needs to momentarily stop attaching the lighting string (40), the lighting string (40) can be jammed into the wire clip (17) in the edge of the side (10). Therefore the lighting string (40) will not come off the storage frame.

[0017] Based on the forgoing description, using the storage frame helps a user to easily attach the lighting string on various objects. Further, the storage frame in accordance with the present invention can be easily assembled or disassembled in a short time. When the storage frame is disassembled, very little space is required to store the storage frame.

[0018] While this invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A storage frame for decorative lighting strings, comprising: two sides having an outer face, an inner face and connecting means on the inner faces and outer faces, two rods each having two ends corresponding to the connecting means on the inner faces to connect between the two sides; and a handle having two ends correspond to the connecting means on the outer face to connect to the one side; whereby the two sides, the two rods and the handle connect to form the storage frame on which a lighting string is wound or disconnect to disassemble the storage frame for storage.
 2. A storage frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting means on the inner face of each side comprises two keyholes defined in the each side corresponding to the two ends of the rods, wherein each keyhole has a large through hole and a small through hole that communicates with the large through hole, and each end of the rod comprises a head corresponding to the large through hole to pass through the keyhole; a neck adapted to be held in the small through hole; and a collar corresponding, to the keyhole to abut the inner face around the keyhole; whereby the two ends of each rod are inserted into and retained in the two corresponding keyholes in the two sides to connect the rod between two sides.
 3. A storage frame as claimed in claim 2, wherein two positioning blocks formed on the inner face of the side on opposite sides of the two keyholes correspond to two flat faces formed on opposite edges of each collar.
 4. A storage frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting means on the outer face of the side comprises two beveled holes defined through the side corresponding to the two ends of the handle, wherein each beveled hole has a large outer opening on the outer face of the side and a small inner opening on the inner face of the side and each end of the handle comprises a flange formed on the end to correspond to the outer opening to abut the outer face of the side around the outer opening; and a pair of resilient hooks formed on the flange and corresponding to the beveled hole to insert into the beveled hole from the large outer opening and to engage the inner face of the side; whereby the hooks are separately connected to the side.
 5. A storage frame as claimed in claim 1, wherein a wire clip is defined on one edge of the each side. 